December 1, 2015

Joseph M. Freedman
Joseph “Joe” Morris Freedman, beloved husband and father, of Blackshear, passed away Nov. 14, 2015 following a short but very courageous battle with cancer.
He is survived by his loving wife, Eva Bennett Freedman, of Blackshear; three daughters, Claudette “Beth” Catanese (Sammy), of Atlantic City, N.J., Jacki Rinaldi (Tony), of Las Vegas, Nev., and Joann “Jody” Dispoto (Joe), of Egg Harbor Township, N.J.; one sister, Joan Phillips, of Pemberton, N.J.
He was blessed to have four grandsons, several nieces and nephews, and two step-children, Jennifer Rathert, of Brandon, Fla., and Brian Rathert (Anna), of Recklinghausen, Germany.
He was the son of Jacob Freedman and Jessie Townsend Krieger, both of Atlantic City, N.J.
He was born Aug. 22, 1933 in Atlantic City, N.J. He was very proud to have honorably served his country beginning with the Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict and after that the Coast Guard Reserves. His patriotism continued when he joined the Atlantic City Police Force where he always kept his pledge, “to protect and serve” the people of Atlantic City. During his 30-plus year career, he held multiple positions of distinction and retired in 1982 as director of Emergency Management Services for the city of Atlantic City.
He will always be remembered as a wonderful father to his three beautiful daughters whom he strived to put first in his life. He had a full and rewarding life. He retired early and moved to Homosassa, Fla., where he met, Eva, the love of his life. Together they enjoyed riding their Harley motorcycles, taking cruises and going on many road trips across the U.S., finally settling here in Blackshear where he always said, “the people are the nicest he had ever met.” He was an active member of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Blackshear.
Per his wishes, there will be no memorial service, however he was a true Patriot who dearly loved this country, and he would be honored by any donation made in his name to either of his favorite charities, The Wounded Warriors or the Disabled American Veterans.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com
Pearson-Dial Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Locke Thomas Gaddis
Locke Thomas Gaddis, of Middleburg, Fla., died unexpectedly Saturday (Nov. 21, 2015) at the age of 12.
He was born Aug. 20, 2003 in Middleburg, Fla.
He was the son of Ian T Gaddis and Donna King Gaddis (a native of Waycross, moved to Middleburg 12 years ago), of Middleburg, Fla.
Locke is survived by three older brothers, C. Tyle Lee, Thorn Lee and Bryant Crews; and two younger sisters, Macey M. Gaddis and Taler F. Gaddis.
Surviving grandparents are Barbara Cox Caudill, Evelyn Gaddis and Donald King; great-grandmother, Eva Mae King; his uncle, Wade, and aunt, Tonya King Bennett, and uncle, Eddie, and aunt, Susann King, uncle, Eric Gaddis; numerous cousins and family members and a very special nephew, Colton T. Lee; nephew, Noah Crews; and two nieces, Marly Crews and Madi Lee.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Middleburg, Fla.

Judith Hodge Greene
Judith Virginia “Judy” Hodge Greene, 81, of Hoboken, passed away Sunday (Nov. 29, 2015) at Mayo Clinic Health System in Waycross.
Born in Columbus, Oct. 31, 1934, she lived in Pompano Beach, Fla., for several years before moving to Hoboken in 1979. She worked at Park Ridge Elementary in Pompano for a number of years before working at Hoboken Elementary following her move to Georgia.
She had also driven a truck for Thom’s Potato Chips, worked at Transco Cap Factory, worked at Hoboken Florist and volunteered her time by taking friends and family to doctor’s appointments and any other errands they needed done. She enjoyed fishing, sewing, crafts and working in her flower garden.
She was a member of Spring Hill Baptist Church and will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother.
She was a daughter of the late John Jarrett and Virginia Kyle Allen Hodge. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Richard Eugene Greene, and by two great-grandchildren.
Survivors include three daughters and sons-in-law, Bonnie and Bobby Moore, of Hilliard, Fla., Joy and David Stallings, of Hoboken, and Virginia and Ricky Nichols, of Hortense; a son, Marshall Greene (fiancee’, Maryann Spikes), of Waycross; four sisters, Patricia Evans, of Columbus, Hilda and Russell Lowman, of North Carolina, Janice and Troy Hardy, of Sparks, and Loette Southers, of LaGrange; two brothers, Gene Hodge, of Columbus, and Marshall “PeeWee” Hodge, of Cardington, Ohio; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
The funeral will be held at 11 o’clock Wednesday morning at Spring Hill Baptist Church.
Interment will be in the Hoboken Cemetery.
Visitation will be held this evening from 6 to 8 at the funeral home.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.pearsondial.com
Pearson-Dial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Winford A. Popham
Winford Ansel “Wink” Popham, 80, passed Sunday (Nov. 29, 2015) at Hospice of the Golden Isles in Brunswick after an extended illness.
He was a long-time resident of Brunswick and a member of Everett Baptist Church.
He was a man that truly loved his country, family, friends and work. A proud native of Manor, he graduated from Manor High School in 1953, continuing on to the Massey Business College in Jacksonville, Fla., where he earned an associate in business degree.
During his four years of service in the U. S. Air Force, he served part of his tenure as the administrative assistant to General Curtis LeMay, Commander of the Strategic Air Command (SAC).
Upon completing his military commitment to this country, he returned to Brunswick and became a long-standing leading member of the Plumber-Pipefitters UA Local 177. One of his significant regional accomplishments was serving as the project lead for installing the water service in Ware County. He later joined his brothers in developing and enhancing the capabilities of Popham Mechanical Contractors.
He was devoted to his wife, daughters and granddaughter, all whom he loved so very much and never failed to care for and support. He not only provided mentoring and support to fellow workers, he also was a positive impact on the lives of so many family members and friends — always laced with wit and kindness.
After “retirement,” he did not slow down. He built shrimp boats and ran a successful shrimping operation for many years. His pride and joy was the boat Lady Chelsea, named after his granddaughter. Even as his personal business activities slowed he continued to search for opportunities and shared his ideas with others.
He was the son of the late Jacob Rudolph Popham Sr. and Mary Louise Kirton Popham. He was also preceded in death by five siblings, William “Bill” Langford Hedgepath, Annette Popham Bowen, Darlene Virginia Popham, Dorsey Elton Popham Sr. and Phillip Edward Popham.
Survivors include his wife, Mara Lee Tindall Popham, of Brunswick; two daughters, Marsha Popham Leverette (Denny), of Brunswick, and Anna Popham DeLoach Stamper (Ed), of St. Simons Island; one granddaughter, Chelsea Stanford, of Brunswick; three brothers, LTC Retired Dan Russell Popham (Elaine), of Blackshear, Jacob Rudolph Popham Jr. (Vera Sue), of Blackshear, and John Allen Popham (Kaye), of Sylvester; brothers and sisters of Mara Lee, LeRoy (Buddy) Tindall Jr. (Vivian), of Brunswick, Mack H. Tindall (Sandra), of Brunswick, and JoAnn Tindall (Van), of Savannah; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Family and friends will be received Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Music Funeral Home in Waycross.
The funeral will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Kettle Creek Church in Waycross.
Interment will follow in Kettle Creek Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Parkway, Brunswick, Ga. 31525.
Music Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.musicfuneralhome.com